NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Toyota Avalon Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1998 Toyota Avalon has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 178 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Toyota Avalon, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1998 Toyota Avalon owner complaints

Owners have filed 178 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Toyota Avalon, describing incidents dated January 9, 1998 to May 12, 2022.

Most-cited components

Suspension 19 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 19 complaints
Electrical System 17 complaints
Equipment 17 complaints
Air Bags 16 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 16 complaints

Of the 178 complaints on file, 25 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 178 complaints, owners report 24 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11528800 · Filed June 26, 2023
All plastic parts are disintegrating, seer belts, door locks, door handles, AC vents , body trim, steering wheel, lights, & anything made of plastic
ODI #11528799 · Filed June 26, 2023
Tie rods detached from frame, along with steering parts became unsafe on minor highway speed turnes
ODI #11155533 · Filed December 3, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC AT THE LIGHT, ALTERNATOR WAS TESTED. BATTERY LIGHT STAY ON, LIGHTS DIMMED OUT, LOST SPEED. HAD TO GET PUSHED OUT THE ROAD AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN ATLANTA GEORGIA ON CLEVELAND AVENUE.. BOUGHT A SECOND ALTERNATOR, SAME EXACT INCIDENT . ONCE HEADLIGHTS ARE…

Read all 178 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Toyota Avalon in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP02-004: ENGINE SEIZURE
Closed June 20, 2002

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA/AUDIOVOX/THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM

NHTSA #98V278000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Anti-Theft — Control Module · NHTSA notice

Reported October 19, 1998 · SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS

Potentially affected: 1,960 vehicles

Vehicles built July 1, 1998 – October 31, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS (TDS) SUPPLIED BY AUDIOVOX CORPORATION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, INC. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN 'OPEN CIRCUIT' CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR HVAC FAN SPEED CONTROLS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RUN SMOOTHLY AND COULD STALL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE LABEL ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM HARNESS AND ANY DISPLAYING THE MANUFACTURING/FINAL DATE CODE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY PRODUCED HARNESSES. THE DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTOR AT 1-800-301-6859.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

AUDIOVOX/THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM

NHTSA #98E035000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Anti-Theft — Control Module · NHTSA notice

Reported October 19, 1998 · AUDIOVOX CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 1,960 vehicles

Owners notified November 3, 1998

Defect description

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS USED ON 1998-1998 TOYOTA RAV4, AVALON, AND SIENNA MODEL VEHICLES DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, INC. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN "OPEN CIRCUIT" CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEING HANDLED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 3, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTOR AT 1-800-301-6859.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

1998 Toyota Avalon 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

178 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota Avalon.

Seat Belts; Unknown or Other

ODI #11528800

2 injuries

Incident: June 30, 2015 · Filed: June 26, 2023

All plastic parts are disintegrating, seer belts, door locks, door handles, AC vents , body trim, steering wheel, lights, & anything made of plastic

Steering; Suspension

ODI #11528799

Crash

Incident: May 12, 2022 · Filed: June 26, 2023

Tie rods detached from frame, along with steering parts became unsafe on minor highway speed turnes

Suspension; Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11155533

Incident: November 9, 2018 · Filed: December 3, 2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC AT THE LIGHT, ALTERNATOR WAS TESTED. BATTERY LIGHT STAY ON, LIGHTS DIMMED OUT, LOST SPEED. HAD TO GET PUSHED OUT THE ROAD AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN ATLANTA GEORGIA ON CLEVELAND AVENUE.. BOUGHT A SECOND ALTERNATOR, SAME EXACT INCIDENT . ONCE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AT NIGHT, CAR LOOSES TOTAL POWER. I HAD TO DRIVE FIVE BLOCKS AT NIGHT WITHOUT LIGHTS ON RALPH DAVID ABERNATHY BLVD, ATLANTA GEORGIA, EVEN THE HAZARD LIGHTS DRAINED A BRAND NEW BATTERY PURCHASED 12/02/2018.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11090044

Incident: April 24, 2018 · Filed: April 25, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH TWO RED LIGHTS. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, ESTABLISHED A CASE NUMBER, AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO CENTRAL FLORIDA TOYOTA (11020 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837, (407) 641-0600). THE DEALER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO REMEDY OTHER THAN THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT CONTACT NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE. *TT

Air Bags

ODI #10954002

Incident: February 6, 2017 · Filed: February 11, 2017

ONE DAY WHEN MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AND AFTER IT HAD SET FOR A FEW DAYS I STARTED IT NORMALLY AND NOTICED THE SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH CAME ON. THIS IS BEEN ABOUT A MONTH NOW AND A LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THE CODE READING INDICATES THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THEY SAID IT MIGHT NOT DEPLOY AS ITS SUPPOSED TO DURING AN ACCIDENT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOVLED SOON. AIRBAGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND LIFE SAVING.

Electrical System

ODI #10920585

Incident: November 1, 2005 · Filed: November 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V278000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.....UPDATED 02/06/17 *BF CONSUMER STATED HAS NO DEFROSTER FOR THE FRONT WINDOW. UPDATED 7/2/18*JB *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10894942

Incident: August 6, 2016 · Filed: August 10, 2016

WHEEL LOCKED THEN THE CAR WILL NOT START, ALARM SYSTEM LIGHT WON'T BLINK AND I'M HEARING A WINEING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD.

Electrical System

ODI #10587509

Incident: August 9, 2013 · Filed: May 9, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON START UP, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION NOR WOULD THE VEHICLE START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO ALSO REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND PROVIDED A NEW KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10554671

Incident: November 26, 2013 · Filed: December 3, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THE LIGHTING WENT BLANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline; Equipment

ODI #10417891

Incident: June 20, 2011 · Filed: August 8, 2011

THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FILLS WITH GASOLINE/FUEL FUMES EVERY TIME THE GAS INDICATOR REACHES 1/4 OF A TANK. TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR HOWEVER THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR

Other Toyota Avalon model years

Check your 1998 Toyota Avalon VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Avalon at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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